Symptoms of a cracked tooth aren’t always straightforward. You might experience:

• Sharp pain when biting or chewing

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods

• Intermittent toothache that’s hard to locate

• Sudden, severe pain that fades quickly

• Gum swelling around one tooth

Cracks can behave unpredictably—widening with pressure and closing when at rest, which may cause pain to come and go.

A minor crack may eventually spread, allowing bacteria to reach the pulp (the tooth’s inner nerve and tissue). This can lead to:

• Chronic pain

• Inflammation

• Infection

• Tooth death or loss

Without treatment, the condition can worsen—sometimes suddenly—and lead to complications requiring extraction.

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the crack:

✅ Minor Cracks

• May be treated with composite bonding or a dental crown to seal and protect the tooth.

✅ Cracks Affecting the Pulp

• If the inner pulp is inflamed or infected, a root canal may be necessary.

• After the root canal, a crown is placed to protect the tooth and restore function.

❌ Severe or Vertical Root Cracks

• In cases where the crack extends below the gum line or compromises the root, the tooth may need to be extracted.

A dental implant or bridge can then be used to restore your smile and bite.

Cracked teeth don’t always show up on X-rays, which is why a thorough clinical exam is crucial. The sooner we diagnose and treat the problem, the better the outcome.

Inside every tooth is a space called the root canal system, which contains dental pulp—a soft tissue made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp helps teeth grow and stay healthy during development. Once a tooth is fully developed, it can survive without the pulp.

When the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it must be removed to save the tooth and protect your overall health.

Root canal treatment is typically required for two main reasons:

🔴 1. Infection from Untreated Decay

• Cavities that go untreated can spread deep into the tooth, reaching the pulp.

• Bacteria cause infection, which leads to pain, swelling, and sometimes abscesses.

• Antibiotics alone cannot eliminate infections inside teeth.

⚠️ 2. Irreversible Damage to the Pulp

Even without infection, the pulp can become so inflamed or injured that it can’t heal. This may be caused by:

• Trauma to the tooth (e.g., sports injury or accident)

• A cracked or fractured tooth

• Multiple dental procedures on the same tooth

• Deep fillings or crown prep work

In both cases, removing the pulp, cleaning the root canal system, and sealing the tooth are the only ways to prevent further damage and pain.

• Persistent or severe toothache

• Pain when biting or chewing

• Swelling or tenderness in the gums

• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers

• Discoloration or darkening of the tooth

• A small bump (abscess) on the gums near the tooth

Not all cases cause pain, so regular checkups are key to early detection.

Root canal treatment is typically completed in one or two visits:

1. Diagnosis & Imaging – We use X-rays to assess the extent of the infection.

2. Local Anesthetic – The tooth is numbed to ensure a painless procedure.

3. Cleaning & Shaping – The pulp is removed and the root canal is thoroughly cleaned and shaped.

4. Filling & Sealing – The space is filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha.

Final Restoration – The tooth is restored with a dental crown to protect it and restore function.

Ignoring an infected tooth can lead to:

• Abscesses and bone loss

• Tooth loss and the need for more costly procedures (implants or bridges)

• Spread of infection to other parts of the body

• Ongoing pain and discomfort

Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the best option—for your bite, health, and wallet.

Yes. A properly treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime with regular dental care and checkups. Root canals have a very high success rate and are one of the most reliable dental procedures available.

Several factors can lead to a failed or compromised root canal, including:

• A cracked crown or leaking restoration

• Missed or untreated canals, especially if narrow or curved

• Delays in placing the final crown after the original procedure

• New decay or damage to the previously treated tooth

• Fracture in the root or crown

• Saliva contamination during or after treatment

• Undetected complex root structures

The good news? Retreatment has a success rate of around 75%, and it’s often a better alternative to extraction—especially when the tooth has good bone support and healthy gums.

✅ Preserves your natural tooth
✅ Costs less than implants or bridgework
✅ Feels more natural than artificial teeth
✅ Avoids bone loss in the jaw
✅ Long-term results with proper care

• Retreatment is very similar to the original root canal, with a few added steps to remove old materials. The procedure is typically completed in 1–3 visits, depending on the complexity.

  Here’s what to expect:

  🦷 Step 1: Access and Removal

  • A local anesthetic is applied to keep you comfortable.

  • A rubber dam is placed to isolate the tooth and keep it clean during the procedure.

  • If there’s a crown or post, it will be carefully removed.

  • Old filling materials or obstructions in the canals are removed using ultrasonic instruments that vibrate the material loose.

  🧼 Step 2: Cleaning & Disinfection

  • Tiny instruments are used to thoroughly clean and reshape the root canals.

  • X-rays may be taken to confirm all canals are properly cleaned.

  • If the infection is complex, medicated packing material may be placed, and cleaning completed at a follow-up appointment.

  🪢 Step 3: Sealing the Canal

  • Once the canals are fully clean and dry, they are filled with gutta-percha to seal them and prevent reinfection.

  👑 Step 4: Temporary and Final Restoration

  • A temporary filling or crown is placed.

  Once healing is confirmed, a permanent, custom-made crown is placed to restore full function and protect the tooth long-term.
  

In many cases, yes. Saving your natural tooth helps maintain your bite, prevent shifting of surrounding teeth, and avoid more invasive treatments. Retreatment is cost-effective, safe, and typically well tolerated—especially with today’s advanced techniques.